Ghanaians hail impact of digitalisation on decline of irregularities in latest Auditor General's report

A cross-section of Ghanaians has expressed joy over the impact of digitalisation on the declining rate of financial irregularities in the latest report by the Auditor General.

In its latest report, the Auditor General detected financial irregularities to the tune of GH¢11.32 billion in public sector finances, but the figure represented a decline of 32 percent of GH¢5.2 billion, which is 32% lower than the previous year’s situation, where GH¢16.57 billion irregularities were identified.

According to the Auditor General, the significant improvement in the fight against financial irregularities was the result of concerted efforts by various stakeholders, including government institutions.

Responding to the news on social media, some Ghanaians have welcomed the improvement and also attributed it to digitalisation of public services.

For a number of respondents, monitored on social media, the digitalisation of public services, especially linking the Ghana card to public pay roll, have ensured proper financial management and saved the country millions of Cedis.

Over the past seven years, government has implemented a massive digitalisation drive, with the Ghanacard as an anchor driving the digitalisation of many public services such as public payroll, Registrar General Department, DVKA, SSNIT, national service scheme, services at the port, NHIA registration, among other.

Many public offices, including SSNIT, the National Service Secretariat and the Controller and Accountant General, have recorded significant savings due to the digitalisation of its offices through the Ghanacard.

NATIONAL SERVICE

Following digitisation of the National service scheme, a shocking 44,000 ‘ghost names’ were discovered on the payroll recently and expunged, saving Ghana a total of GH¢356 million Cedis.

Also, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) saved GHC480 million by eliminating 29,000 ghost pensioners, while the Controller and Accountant General, successfully diacovered tens of thousand of ghost names on government payroll and saved the country millions of Cedis, which would have otherwise, ended up in private pockets.

Ghanaians who commented on the outcome of the latest Auditor General's report, commended the government and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his commitment to implementing digital initiative across the public sector.

Below are some of the comments